MICROPROPAGATION OF `GERMAN RED' CARNATION (DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS) FROM NODAL EXPLANTS

Nodal explants were taken from both vegetative and flowering shoots of `German Red' carnation and placed on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid. The explants taken from flowering shoots invariably produced flower buds in vitro and were of no value for micropropagation. With the vegetative explants, microshoots were observed after about 15 days. These were subcultured and the effect of cytokinins (kinetin, BAP, thidiazuron [TDZ]) on subsequent shoot production was evaluated. The cytokinins increased the number of shoots formed with TDZ and kinetin being the most and least effective, respectively. Shoots produced in vitro were rooted with 100% success in vitro or ex vitro. About 98% of the plants rooted in vitro or ex vitro survived transfer to the greenhouse and were successfully transplanted outdoors. In summary, starting from explants, well-branched flowering plants can be obtained in as little as 5-6 months. These results suggest that in vitro mass propagation of `German Red' carnation is feasible.